Growing the Garden - Roses in Concrete Nature Program

Roses in Concrete Community School (RiC) is a K-4 school in East Oakland that opened its doors this academic year with 200 students enrolled: 40% Latino, 40% African-American, 10% Asian and Pacific Islander, 8% multi-racial, and 2% European-American. Over 50% qualify as socio-economically disadvantaged. Our school emphasizes knowledge of self, character, and intellectual growth to prepare students to fundamentally impact global society beginning with actively participating in their own communities.

As part of our school’s commitment to social justice, we see access to nature and healthful foods as an act that can transform our school community in far-reaching ways. We have just begun construction on the first phase of our school garden including chickens, ducks, fruit orchard, raised beds for vegetables and a sensory garden. We have an ambitious five year plan to expand this to a fully functioning community farm, teaching kitchen, and farmer’s market benefiting the local community.